That’s the message from the Northumberland community, which has shown its support for an extension to the coronavirus lockdown measures in the UK ahead of an expected review this week. At time of writing, more than 1,000 people had voted in our online poll – with 97% revealing that they supported the UK’s lockdown continuing. This is what you said on the Northumberland Gazette Facebook page: Kath Woollen: “Much though I’m feeling frustrated at being in 12 weeks’ isolation, I know it’s too soon just yet to lift restrictions. We aren’t even at the peak of this contagion in the UK yet, lifting restrictions will just cause an upsurge in infections and related deaths.” Caz Rae: “It’s no good lifting lockdown until numbers of new cases drop considerably, or cease otherwise it could simply increase up again and cause us to go back into lockdown. Better safe than sorry.” Graeme Appleby: “It's a no brainer, we were a month to 6 weeks late in bringing in lockdown anyway so have to suffer the consequences now.” Phil Hopper: “Lockdown was imposed much later than it should be, we need to stay in lockdown until it's safer to lift.” Carl Johnson: “I'll willingly do a year, if that's what it's going to take! But they really need to start doing more about those who are continuously ignoring the guidelines.” Julie Barnett: “Lockdown should be tighter as the minority are being idiots.” Colin Wright: “There is no definite pattern to the infection yet. Keep lockdown for a while longer.” Emma Leighton: “I will do as long as needs be but they really need to up their game with testing etc other countries are doing it, we should.” Maria Hayter: “Shocked that anyone should think lockdown should not be continued … some people are mad!” Emily Brown: “There should be no end date given for the lock down. It will take aslong as it takes - leave it as it is till the death rate is virtually nil.” A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper. Thank you.
